Mercer hosts Atlantic Sun Tournament for fourth year

Mercer University is set to host the 2013 General Shale Atlantic Sun Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships for the fourth year in a row at the University Center’s Hawkins Arena on March 6-9.
After failing to make the tournament last season, the Mercer women’s basketball team is making an appearance in 2013 as the No. 3 seed.
Set to play their first match on Thursday March 7 at 12 p.m. the team looks to make a deep run into the playoffs and hopefully walk away with a conference championship on their home court, in front of their home crowd.
In the quarterfinal match, Mercer will face the No. 6 seeded team from Jacksonville University.
The women’s basketball team is 2-0 against the Dolphins in the 2013 season, with both contests being close ones.
On Jan. 12, the Mercer women’s basketball team traveled to Jacksonville, Fla. to take on the Dolphins.
The Bears left with a narrow 72-68 victory thanks to the efforts of senior Ry’van Buchanan and her 32 points that night.
The Bears’ second game against Jacksonville at home saw yet another close match as the Bears pulled away with a close 68-61 victory. A different senior paved the way for the Bears this time around. Sharmesia Smith scored 16 points en route to the victory at Hawkins Arena.
Other quarterfinal matches on the women’s side are as follows:
#8 Kennesaw State vs #1 FGCU Wednesday, March 6, 12 p.m.
#7 ETSU vs #2 Stetson Wednesday, March 6, 6 p.m.
#5 North Florida vs #4 USC Upstate Thursday, March 7, 6 p.m.
On the men’s side, the Mercer men’s basketball team claimed the No. 1 seed as they finished conference atop of the league table. After falling in the semifinal to FGCU last year, the men’s basketball team looks to exact revenge and make it to the NCAA tournament.
The Bears will face Lipscomb in quarterfinal play on Thursday, March 7 at 8:30 p.m. After previously defeating Lipscomb twice this season, both by large margins, Mercer looks to make it three wins versus the Bison as they begin their quest towards the ultimate goal of an NCAA Tournament appearance.
On Jan. 26, the Bears traveled to Nashville, Tenn. to take on the Bison. The Bears came away with a close 71-65 victory. Senior Travis Smith led the Bears with an impressive 22 points on the day.
The second match against Lipscomb at Hawkins Arena saw the Bears win in a much more dominant fashion. Junior Anthony White Jr. led a quartet of Mercer players in double figure scoring with 15 points against the Bison.
Other quarterfinal matches on the men’s side are as follows:
#7 North Florida vs #2 FGCU Wednesday, March 6, 2:30 p.m.
#6 ETSU vs #3 Stetson Thursday, March 7, 2:30 p.m.
#5 USC Upstate vs #4 Jacksonville Thursday, March 7, 8:30 p.m.